Mumbai: Kartik Aaryan is on a career high and it clearly shows in the kind of projects coming his way. After Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri and Naagzilla, the actor has now said yes to another big film backed by Karan Johar. It is the third collaboration of Kartik and Dharma Productions and that makes him one of the fastest emerging favourites under the banner.
According to industry sources, Karan Johar has locked Kartik Aaryan for a brand new entertainer that will be directed by Sandeep Modi, the filmmaker known for acclaimed shows like Aarya and The Night Manager. The team has been silently working on this for months and has now greenlighted the film.
What Led to This New Project
Interestingly, this is not the first time Kartik Aaryan , Karan and Sandeep tried to collaborate. Earlier, the trio was planning a large scale war drama that was even announced on Kartik’s birthday in 2023. It was supposed to begin filming in 2024 and arrive in theatres on August 15, 2025. But due to several internal reasons, the film never moved forward.
However, Kartik and Sandeep had already formed a creative bond and promised to reunite with the right story. That opportunity finally arrived earlier this year when Sandeep pitched an entirely new subject. Both Kartik and Karan Johar loved the idea instantly and decided to come on board without hesitation.
What We Know About the New Film
The upcoming movie is not related to the earlier planned war drama, nor is it a reimagined version of the same. Sources reveal that this is a fresh script packed with strong action elements. It is expected to present Kartik Aaryan in a completely new avatar, something the audience has never seen before.
The film is also different from Kartik’s two existing Dharma projects. With each collaboration offering a new flavour, Karan Johar seems to be building a strong long term association with Kartik.
The film is expected to go on floors in August 2026.
Kartik’s Busy Lineup With Dharma Productions
Karan Johar and Kartik Aaryan already have two major releases lined up:
Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri
- Co stars Ananya Panday
- Directed by Sameer Vidwans
- Scheduled for Christmas 2024
- A grand romcom made on a huge scale
Naagzilla
- A fantasy comedy
- Kartik plays a shape shifting naag
- Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba
- Releases on Independence Day 2026
Kartik Aaryan is also leading another 2026 release, an untitled musical love saga directed by Anurag Basu and co starring Sreeleela.
A Massive Budget and an Even Bigger Bet
According to Bollywood Hungama, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri has been mounted on a massive 150 crore budget, with an additional 20 crores dedicated to print and publicity. This makes it Dharma’s most expensive romcom ever, and the second costliest romcom of the modern era after Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar.
Of the total 170 crore budget, Karan Johar has already recovered 90 crores through digital, satellite and music rights. The remaining 80 crores are expected to come from the theatrical run.
Sources share that the team is confident the film will cross the 200 crore mark at the box office, especially after Kartik’s blockbuster success with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Kartik Aaryan: Dharma’s New Poster Boy?
Insiders say that within Dharma Productions, Kartik is being positioned as the banner’s next major face. With three big films lined up one after another, Karan Johar is placing strong faith in Kartik’s box office pull.
Naagzilla itself is planned as the beginning of a film series. The pre production on the next instalment will start as soon as the first film is launched. Kartik will remain the only fixed cast member across the franchise, while the rest of the team will change with each film.
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